Vanderbilt Naval ROTC

Happy Continued Firstie Friday! Second up today we have MIDN 1/C Preston Mirante! MIDN Mirante is a Finance Major from Seattle, WA. MIDN Mirante will commission this Spring in the Surface Warfare Community and just participated in ship selection. When asked about his time in NROTC, MIDN Mirante said “ROTC was a blast. These last 4 years have flown by. I wish some days I could restart with what I know now. Everything has been so much fun and has really taught me many valuable life lessons. My favorite part definitely was my 1st class cruise in Whidbey Washington. I flew on P-8s all throughout the cruise and had a blast. I have loved all parts of ROTC and would do it again if I could.” One quote MIDN Mirante lives by, “Pressure creates diamonds, so embrace the weight.”

Happy Firstie Friday! This week we have two great First Class! First up we have MIDN 1/C Haylee Green. MIDN Green is a Criminal Justice Major from Lockport, NY. She will commission this spring in the Surface Warfare Community and just participated in ship selection! Speaking on her time in NROTC, MIDN Green had this to say, “I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences and people that shaped me along the way. The early mornings and challenges helped me grow in ways I never expected. I’m proud of this journey and thankful for everyone who was part of it.” MIDN Green was asked to leave a quote, and she said “Show up, give your best effort even on the hard days, and don’t forget that the people beside you will end up being just as important as the training itself.”

Happy Midshipman Monday- It’s time to introduce our 4/C! This week we have MIDN 4/C
Ripley, Licata, Dobbs, and Rose.

My name is Allison Ripley. I am from San Antonio, Texas. I am studying nursing at Belmont University and will be commissioned as a nurse!

My name is Tony Licata. I am from St Louis, Missouri. I am studying Political Science & National Security at Vanderbilt University and am interested in joining the Aviation Community!

My name is Demi Dobbs. I am from Houston, Texas. I am studying Medicine, Health, and Society at Vanderbilt University and am open to all the communities!
My name is Hudson Rose. I am from Frisco, Texas. I am studying Econ at Vanderbilt University and am interested in the Aviation community!

Happy Midshipman Monday- It’s time to introduce our 4/C! This week we have MIDN Teichert, Lockhart, Duffy, and Mosbruger.

My name is Noah Teichert. I am from Annapolis, Maryland. I am studying mechanical engineering at Vanderbilt University and am interested in joining the SWO nuke community!

My name is Taryn Lockhart. I am from Stuttgart, Germany. I am studying Political Science at Vanderbilt University and am interested in Intel or Subs!

My name is Magdalen Duffy. I am from Hortonville, Wisconsin. I am studying nursing at Belmont University and will be commissioned as a nurse!

My name is Jakob Mosbruger. I am from Memphis, Tennessee. I am studying Engineering Science and Econ at Vanderbilt University and am interested in the SWO and Aviation community!

Happy Firstie Friday! This week we have MIDN 1/C Jackson Smith from Gatlinburg, TN. MIDN Smith is a Physics major at Vanderbilt University. When asked about his time in NROTC, MIDN Smith said “Just thinking back to who I was before I started this whole program, I’ve become a drastically different person. You don’t feel the change while you’re in the middle of it.” When asked for a quote, MIDN Smith said “Drink your orange juice!”

Happy Firstie Friday, and welcome to the first Friday of the class of 2026! Up first we have MIDN 1/C Nyla Miles from Columbia TN. MIDN Miles is an Engineering Science major with a minor in Engineering Management. When asked about her time in NROTC she said “This experience has been nothing short of amazing and rewarding. This program has helped mold me into something I never thought or had the courage to be. The time I have spent here will always mean so much to me and I encourage people to try it and stick with it!“. MIDN Miles will commission as a Student Naval Aviator this spring. One piece of advice from MIDN Miles, “Everything is an opportunity so seize it.”

Highlights from this semester!

- Army vs. Navy football game
- Navy Ball
- Halloween PT
- Fireside chat with ADM Caldwell (Ret.)

Anchor Down and Lead! ⚓️

Moments from our fall change of command ceremony. Congratulations MIDN 1/C Smith on a great semester. The commodore battalion welcomes 1/C Hennessey as our new BNCO!

Last week our 1/C midshipmen received their service assignments. Congratulations! 🎉 ⚓️

13 SEPT -

Shout out to all of those in the battalion who participated in the Carry Forward 5k this weekend!

This event supports the Wounded Warrior Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering and honoring injured service members and their families.

⚓️ 💪 🇺🇸